very inspiring book. it is good to read something where everything doesn't feel so easy as that doesn't seem realistic. this was written in such a way that is relatable and encouraging for those who struggle in some way as well. i liked how real noell was with the hard things in life.

I've followed Noell on Instagram for a while so found it really compelling to learn the full story of her journey to building her dream home (and life). I appreciated her openness, honesty, and vulnerability in sharing all the ups and downs and behind the scenes struggles. Overall an interesting read and a good reminder that what we see of anyone's life on social media is a carefully curated highlight reel rather than reality.

I had not heard of Noel Jett before, but the title and cover caught my interest and it was a genre that I find myself often gravitating towards. It is of a memoir style, and towards the latter half of the book, it also has advice on how to build a social platform, which kind of took me by surprise, as it’s not really represented in the title at all. Maybe an existing fan of Noell would see that connection quicker than I did, but it was a little out of nowhere for the topic and title as a newbie to this author. I will be honest, I wasn’t drawn in—the style of writing and message. There was a part about a small group (pod) of Instagram women she had done like for like or similar style to boost engagement, and then there was a falling out. Sounds like a lot of hurt still present from how I read this (again, a newbie to this author and her style) but maybe that’s the “grit and grace” aspect? I don’t know, I understand everyone gets hurt, social media is easy to fall into that hole too (people are people, online and offline) but it wasn’t uplifting to me. It left me with a sour note that I couldn’t quite reconcile and that’s why it didn’t get a high rating from me.

From the Ground Up was a fun and easy read. I appreciated her tips and was inspired by her ideas. I enjoyed the inclusion of her social media journey.

Scrolling through the comments on Noell Jett’s social media, it’s hard to ignore the comments of people who are jealous of her lifestyle and criticizing her for doing things the way she does. She lives, what looks to be, a dream life to many people. But we often forget that there’s more to a person’s story than what we see on social media. Her book was very eyeopening to the struggles that she has faced in her life.

From the Ground Up is more than just a book about how to build a farmhouse. In fact, she and her husband wrote a book together that looks to fit that more. This book is a memoir of her life and she does an incredible job at sharing her journey through life. While her life may look perfectly curated online, her life has been anything but that. In fact, I have so much more respect for her than I did prior to reading this book. To read about the situations she was in as a child, to hard life lessons she had to learn as a young adult, to the struggles she still faces as an adult, it truly is heartbreaking. Yet, so motivating and encouraging to see what she has been able to do in her life.

I listened to the audiobook and I’m glad I did. As always, there’s much more power to her words when she is reading it out loud, than if I was reading the words on the page.

Whether you are wanting to build a farmhouse of your own, start your own social media page, or just want to thrive in your own life, there’s absolutely something in this book for you!

From the Ground Up
Building a Dream House---and a Beautiful Life---through Grit and Grace
by Noell Jett
Pub Date 08 Mar 2022
Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson
Christian



I am reviewing a copy of From the Ground Up Through Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson and Netgalley:


Noell Jett's home was built by hand, built to last.


From the Ground Up is a great idea that the best dreams start with love.


Noell's home is more than a a farmhouse. It’s a testament to overcoming challenges, working side by side with those you love, and learning to say yes to your dreams again and again, even when the world says no.


Noell Jett knows what it is to struggle, to work hard simply to survive, she grew up in poverty in a family with extremist religious beliefs. When she married Daniel and they began a family together, she discovered the joy of working hard to achieve her dreams.



From the Ground Up shares the unbelievable story behind her 3,700-square foot custom farmhouse built by hand and savvy influencer marketing and the key strategies she learned about never giving up. With beautiful photos, reflections questions, and Noell’s trademark DIY tips, From the Ground Up offers a vision for living beyond the confines of your past, inspiration for home renovation on a budget, tricks to make influencer marketing work for you,
spiritual insight into finding true freedom, and encouragement to take that life-changing leap of faith.


From the Ground Up is a powerful reminder that following your passion is worth a few sacrifices along the way. After all, some dreams are worth giving it all you’ve got. Why not follow yours?


I give From the Ground Up Five out of five Stars!


Happy Reading!

From the Ground Up tells Noell's story in lieu of building her home from ground up. I found this very interesting to read and of course learning lessons from it
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for their next read to curl up to.

This was a surprisingly quick read, one I completed in just a couple hours. And how fun that Jett cowrote this with Melissa Ferguson--an author I really enjoy and whose inspy-fic books I am always on the lookout for! (If you haven't checked out The Cul-de-Sac War or Meet Me in the Margins, may I suggest you do so right meow? :D #ifyouknowyouknow)

Jett has _quite_ a life story, and her journey is frankly what stood out to me the most in the read. I particularly appreciated that she made a point of reading Scripture for herself and seeing with her own eyes what authentic Christianity really is...and how her growing-up years unfortunately were wildly different. Heartbreaking.

Her family's journey to homeownership, building their own home, and the incorporation of social media was also fascinating. The struggles were, and are, very real, and her blunt honesty was refreshing--a view behind the curtain, as it were, reminding me that "not all that glitters is gold" (because, yes, I have to insert a Tolkien quote in everything). :) What we see on social media is carefully curated and not always reality.

I will note, there was some talk of "being one's best self"--a phrase I'll admit I'm not wild about. But that aside, the book was informative, inspirational, and encouraging, and I'd revisit it down the line.

4/5 stars.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love watching the Jett’s on TikTok and when I found out she wrote a book I got excited. My husband and I have always wanted to build a house but we had no idea how much love and patience it took. This book has given me courage and excitement to have a little faith and just put our heart into whatever projects we do.

This book has some amazing ideas and tips. I am not a great lover of sharing my life publicly on social media, so couldn't engage with the practical encouragement to do so.

One part memoir, one part how-to manual, Noell Jett brings us an honest and intimate look into her life journey, and how she became a social media maven. A really compelling and inspiring read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy!

This book is a memoir by a Instagram designer. It also includes advice on how to start an Instagram page. I read this book after I read Designed to Last which was another similar memoir. From the Ground Up was not as good of a book. The writing was not great and the story did not really stick together for me. If you are already a follower of Jett on social media it might be of interest, though. It would have been helped with having photos of Jett's house and designs.
I received a complementary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this nonfiction book about building a home. But it was so much more than that. On the whole it was about never giving up. And working for what you want.